As the scandal surrounding Roland Burris’ appointment to the United States Senate deepens, Republicans in the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives are renewing their call to allow Illinois citizens to choose their Senator through a special election.

Senator Tim Bivins says Senate Bill 285 has been introduced to ensure all future United States Senate seat vacancies in Illinois would be filled by a special election, within 115 days of the seat being vacated. The bill would also enact a one-time only special election to coincide with the consolidated April 7, 2009, election and a special general election to be scheduled for May 26, 2009.

“We started the process of cleaning up state government by removing Rod Blagojevich as Governor,” Senator Bivins said. “We need to complete the process, and I believe this is another step in the right direction.”

News Detail

Senate and House Republicans renew call for special election

2/19/2009

Senator Bivins is serving on the Joint Committee on Government Reform, which is working to restore integrity to State government.

Other lawmakers echoed the Senator’s concerns.

“What we are experiencing this week is the mess that we feared may happen when Rod Blagojevich was allowed to make this appointment. Clearly, Blagojevich’s tentacles run deep through the Democratic Party,” said Senator Matt Murphy of Palatine, the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 285.

“Illinois can and should move ahead with a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Obama,” said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. “The public has suffered enough embarrassment under former Governor Blagojevich and Senator Burris. It is time to let the people decide who they want to be their U.S. Senator.”

“With allegations of potential perjury swirling around Senator Burris, we certainly need to be prepared should he be removed or expelled from office; but more than that, we need to show scandal-weary residents that we are serious about ending the pay-to-play culture in Illinois once and for all,” said House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego. “The Democrats held a committee hearing this week talking about opening up government to the people. Today we’re challenging them to do more than just talk. We want action.”

Representative Cross noted that House Republicans in December pushed for passage of House Bill 6733, which called for a special election to fill the United States Senate seat being vacated by President Barack Obama, but the legislation was blocked from consideration in the House by Speaker Michael Madigan and Democrat leaders.

“In December, Democrats killed our special election legislation in the House. The unfolding events of the past week have made it very clear why they feared they couldn’t hold on to the seat in a fair and open election. What they’ve lost sight of, though, is that it isn’t their seat! It’s the people’s seat and we need to give the decision on who will fill it back to the people,” said Representative Jim Sacia of Pecatonica.

Senate Bill 285 was filed in the Senate on February 6 and was assigned to the Senate Executive Committee on February 18.